2001 Community Awards

The ceremony was held on Sunday, February 24, 2002 at The Highlands in Highland Park.

215 South Avenue 52
Rev. Williel Thompson Residence HCM #541
This 19th century Victorian has had an imposing presence on Avenue 52 for over a century. For many years it served as a boarding house, but now has returned to life as a private residence. The owner’s attractive new paint job highlights the exquisite detail on this double finial Victorian. Other highlights include stained glass surrounding the upper window frames and early gas light fixtures leading to the front porch. The tremendous amount of work and commitment involved in the ongoing restoration is truly deserving of our 2001 Award.

136 North Avenue 52
This is a delightful early 20 th century cottage has Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman influences. Enclosed rafter ends, decorative brackets, Tucson columns, and a wooden frieze are indicative of these various architectural styles. This particular home was an award recipient at our first Award ceremony. In the ensuing years, the side windows were replaced with aluminum ones. After learning that the windows were not acceptable within the boundaries of the Highland Park Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ), the owners took it upon themselves to replace the aluminum windows with wooden one that returned the house to its former glory. The owner’s willingness to make a gem out of this charming house is deserving of our 2001 Award.

Mural at Luther Burbank Middle School
6200 Meridian Street
This mural, facing Figueroa at Luther Burbank Middle School, is a beautifully executed depiction of a history from pre-Columbian times to the present day. Notables such as Cesar Chavez, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Sally Ride are pictured in this epic through time. Striking colors (deep blues and greens) give a serene aura to this thought provoking message of how the past is part of the present. This very creative and well-situated mural is definitely deserving of our 2001 award.

Ziegler Estate, 4601 North Figueroa Street
Built: 1904 Architect: Alfred P. Wilson and Charles Hornbeck
This prominent, two-story structure is an outstanding example of a transitional Victorian/Craftsman house and is one of the largest of its type in Highland Park. After sitting empty for years, the City of Los Angeles made the strong commitment to the adaptive reuse and preservation of this site on North Figueroa. The rehabilitation project was extensive, including seismic retrofitting, windows and rafter end replacements, and landscaping. The new child care center is an example of elected officials, various City departments and project consultants collaborating to go far beyond the call of duty to assure the integrity of a rehabilitation project and it is truly deserving of our 2001 award.

Carl C. Warden Residence
878 Rome Drive HCM #691
This charming turn of the century Victorian cottage replete with fishscale shingles, dentils, medallions, and spindels received the award for major improvements. The multi-colored paint scheme turned this house into a shining example of what can be accomplished with care and creativity. This two-story Prairie-style house has gone through a major restoration and has again become the stunning house it was when built by the Milwaukee Building Company almost a century ago. The walkway has been returned to its original position restoring symmetry to the home. An attractive wrought iron fence has replaced the chain link that was overgrown by shrubs and vines. The yard is now planted with irises and lavender (reminiscent of a traditional 1910 landscape) which are mirrored in the custom gate leading to the front porch. Without a doubt, the owners’ sensitive restoration is truly deserving of their 2001 Award.

231 South Avenue 51
This charming cottage surrounded by Jerkinhead gables was recognized for sustained maintenance. The muted green color of the house is in striking contrast to the bright white sandstone porch and Tucson columns. The dark green window frames also strike a nice balance, as does the white picket fence surrounding the yard. The owner’s pride in this home is quite evident and they are well deserving of this 2001 Award.

963 Poppy Street
What began as a porch replacement turned into a total outside renovation for this two-story, circa 1908, Craftsman. Aluminum windows were replaced with attractive wooden casements and new redwood and cedar shingles on the entire exterior gave a new vibrancy to this stately front gabled Craftsman. The owners are to be commended for their diligence and hard work in renovating their home and are well deserving of this 2001 Award.